Bernd Leno: The German international was in excellent form at St. James’ Park – making several crucial saves to prevent Newcastle winning by a cricket score after Raul Jimenez’s sending off. Had no chance with any of the goals and nearly denied Dan Burn a goal against his old club with a stupendous save from the defender’s downward header only for the man Slavisa Jokanovic released to scramble home the rebound. 6
Timothy Castagne: The Belgian international was once again preferred to Kenny Tete at right back in recognition of his outstanding form. He had a tough assignment in keeping the influential Anthony Gordon quiet and that task only grew tougher once Fulham went down to ten men so early. Worked hard but the sending off robbed him of any license to get forward – and he struggled to keep Gordon quiet as the second half went on. 5
Antonee Robinson: Robinson has been sensational form for Marco Silva’s side over the past few weeks and this was another mature and committed display in such trying circumstances. Solid defensively against Almiron – it is too easy to blame only him for the second goal in my view. The American full back’s pace became even more of a crucial outlet once the Whites went down to ten men and he got up the pitch regularly – and you could understand that picking out team-mates in the final third was harder without a centre forward. 6
Issa Diop: Diop acquitted himself well given the late nature of his call-up into the starting line-up and the fact that he had not played since September through injury. Got through an afternoon of adversity impressively despite a clear lack of match sharpness, making several crucial tackles and not looking as awkward on the left side of central defence as he did at the tail end of last season. 6
Tosin Adarabioyo: Adarabioyo has been excellent since he came back into the side for the thrashing of Nottingham Forest and, even though the Fulham resistance cracked after the interval, this was another encouraging display. His calmness in possession is a serious asset and he read dangerous situations well for the most part, keeping Callum Wilson pretty quiet for the most part. Could be criticised for letting Dan Burn get free for the third goal, but it was tough afternoon for the entire side. 6
Joao Palhinha: The Portuguese high prince of tackling wasn’t able to impose himself proceedings – much like the trip to Liverpool earlier this month – but this was still a serviceable performance from Palhinha. He picked up his customary booking but his reading of the game helped protect an overworked back four after Jimenez’s early departure, screening the defence as well as keeping the ball where possible. 6
Tom Cairney: The captain exuded class on the ball when Fulham had eleven players on the pitch, which is another reason why Raul’s loss of discipline was so infuriating. He still knitted the play together splendidly when the Whites were in possession in the second half, but those moments were few and far between once Newcastle got in front. Struggled to match the Magpies’ physicality but the creative midfielder was hardly alone in that. 6
Andreas Pereira: There were just flashes of the Brazilian’s brilliance on a frustrating afternoon. The first was beautiful ball that put Harry Wilson in behind the home defence, whilst an excellent run across the Newcastle defensive line was undermined by a heavy touch inside the penalty area. Pereira led the press bravely, but this became a game where grit was more important than guile. 5
Alex Iwobi: The sliding doors moment from St. James’ Park came when the Nigerian midfielder, in the midst of a workmanlike shift on the wing, latched onto a misplaced ball from Joelinton but couldn’t keep his composure and beat Martin Dubravka as Dan Burn bore down on him. Iwobi looked bright in possession and covered a hell of a lot of ground – but the tone of the whole afternoon would have turned had he finished that chance as effortlessly as he created it. 6
Harry Wilson: The Welsh winger followed up his brilliant cameo off the bench against West Ham with some of Fulham’s brightest moments on Tyneside. Did well to bend his run and remain onside after some lovely build up play along the right flank and beat Duvbravka to Pereira’s through ball, playing across the danger area before the chance disappeared but had only Iwobi to aim for. The task became a purely containing one after the red card and, though Wilson might have been more effective in preventing Lewis Miley’s opener, this was a tough shift. 6
Raul Jimenez: The way the Mexican left the field holding his head told you he knew how costly his moment of madness could prove. I’ve all the sympathy in the world for him being left bewildered by the fact that Jamal Lascalles escaped any sanction for elbowing him in the head – and it was astonishing that not only did the referee not award a free-kick, but that he didn’t stop the game immediately. But an experienced professional should know better than to lash out immediately on his return – and though Jimenez did pull out of his awkward lunge at Sean Longstaff, it was a surprise when Barrott only produced a yellow card. That indiscretion not only ruined Fulham’s chances of getting a result here but weakens the side for Tuesday’s League Cup tie and two big league games – against Burnley and Bournemouth – that will follow. 4
Substitutes:
Rodrigo Muniz: The Brazilian was a willing runner in what felt like a lost cause, although Fulham’s chances were not helped by the referee ignoring another hefty challenge from Lascelles that led directly to Newcastle doubling their lead. 6
Kenny Tete: The Dutchman got some necessary minutes in the final half hour – leaving him likely in to come in for Tuesday night’s eagerly-anticipated trip to in-form Everton. 6
Bobby De Cordova-Reid: You know what you are going to get for our favourite Bristolian-Jamaican: his work ethic could arguably have been utilised earlier. 6
Sasa Lukic: A thankless task for the Serbian to impress Silva when the game had already gone. 6
Harrison Reed: The Ginger Iniesta got stuck in but like the rest of the Fulham substitutes were largely chasing shadows as Silva sought damage limitation late on. 6
